Dance

South London & the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London; Dance United

The partners wanted to test an intervention for young adults aged 18 – 35 living in south London in the early stages of diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar and other mental health conditions. The typical profiles included those who had sought help for psychological problems, with impairment in psychosocial functioning and specific signs and symptoms indicating high risk of bipolar disorder; those with an early diagnosis of schizophrenia, or experiencing psychosis or being treated by their GP for depression/anxiety.

After undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training, three dance artists from across the East of England devised dance sessions for school children in Year 6, aged 10 - 11. Creative in nature, these sessions focused on addressing the physiological fitness components of flexibility, aerobic endurance and muscular explosive power.

The aim of this project was to study children’s behaviour and the positive effect of creative dance sessions in schools.

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